Rain yesterday and today. Just a bit. In that rain, the marcescent leaves of an American Chestnut (Castanea dentata). Edges like ocean waves. Pure American Chestnut. Surely these trees will get chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica). Until then I will totally enjoy having these trees close to me.
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Leaves with edges that resemble ocean waves. American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) in the rain.
I love finding these trees that have somehow survived. Not many out there, but they are indeed, out there.
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Extremely rare, but they do exist. American Chestnut (Chestanea dentata).
Before 1904, this fast growing, tall tree ruled swaths of eastern US forests. I mention the year 1904 because that is when the chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica) was first discovered at the New York Zoological Gardens. The blight was introduced to the US by accident from East Asia and it nearly wiped out the whole population of these wonderful trees over the course of just a few decades.
It brings great delight to me though, when I find a large American Chestnut tree growing in the woods. They are truly rare but they are out there.
The American Chestnut Foundation is working diligently to develop a tree that will survive. I have great hope that they will see success and again American Chestnuts will survive in great numbers in our woods.
Oh it is so very nice to be back in autumn again. I spent a few days traveling to Florida and got to experience the change of seasons all over again. I traveled south into summer and green green green. Returning yesterday I got the thrill of seeing the mountains covered in their autumn best. Golds, yellows, reds, oranges and lovely burnt siennas. Colors that tell me snow will be soon arriving. I can hardly wait.
These leaves, putting on a welcome back show for me, are American Beech (Fagus grandifolia). Leaves that are reminiscent of American Chestnut leaves with their ocean wave edges. No wonder. They are in the same family, Fagaceae. Ahh! What color. How nice to be back in autumn.
Gone are the days of carefree summer.
Oh but the things to come. Color. The color of Virginia Creeper with it’s crimson leaves.
Brilliant color. All the leaves that had been cool greens now becoming warm colors. Rich colors become ubiquitous. Red Maples turning red or orange or yellow.
Another Red Maple. This one scarlet with yellow as an accent.
PawPaw becoming chartreuse.
Sassafras uncertain if it should turn yellow or orange. But either one, rich warm color.
American Chestnut, yellow and rust.
All these colors. An invitation to enjoy the colors while they’re here.
